In addition, the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins (i.e., active Caspase 3 and Bax) were significantly upregulated, whereas the level of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 was downregulated in cells of AF and NP tissues of dKO versus control IVDs (Supplementary Fig. 8A, C-E). This evidence concerns the gene CASP3 and atrial fibrillation.